A case of obsession.

I got a little over excited about making these new pencil cases and made a few more over the weekend. I think these might be the first item that will go into my Etsy shop because really, how many pencil cases does a girl need! The top one is my favourite, using the beautiful linen fabric from Australian textile designer Lara Cameron. The bottom case used more of the cute fabric I bought in Japan.

A case of tension.

So the 'Huma' wasn't quite as smooth as expected – I can't quite figure out how the tension works... Anyone? A bit of a false start trying to remember how to put a zip in but I was pretty happy with the outcome. I'm off to make a few more pencil cases now I'm on a roll!

The Huma?

Here it is. It's old, it's heavy and it may just pre-date my Grandma but it seems to go okay taking into account the weird clacking noise it makes every time the needle goes up and down. It's my new-ish 'Huma' (is that even a real brand?) sewing machine I bought from the second hand shop for just 20 euro which I 'think' was a bargain. The knobs and the instructions are all a little foreign but the 'Huma' seems to sew a treat. The best part is the retro suitcase it comes in!



Some cute fabric I bought in Japan. I'm thinking my first project will be some pencil cases made with the little flower pot fabric.

Dutch reflections

Images I recently took around my new home. Left is the view from the window of my apartment (on an unusually sunny day) and right is looking through a window of an antique bookstore in Amsterdam. I love the little broken letters and also how you can only just see the shelves of books through the window...

Tea for one.

So when I was traveling I became a little obsessed by finding the perfect tea cup as drinking cups of tea is one of my favourite things to do. The top two I found at a flea market in Delft - the little figures on the cups all wear traditional outfits depending on which region they come from. (I started a great debate at the market between two old dutch ladies arguing about which region my cups were from.) The middle two I found at Toji Market in Kyoto - so lovely to hold. Lastly, the bottom mug is from my favourite store in Japan, Muji. The whole thing comes apart with a built in tea strainer and lid to catch the drips. Their stationary department is also amazing!

Now I just need to find someone to share a cup with...

Softies

She came up with the idea for the books, she designed the them, and now there's a website! My very talented friend Claire (from Penguin books) has been working on these Softies books for the past couple of years and has now launched a great new website. You can download pictures, check out links to the softies creators and even download patterns. Check out the website here!



Below is my first attempt at a Softie. This is Polly from the first book. I donated her to the Meet Me at Mikes Mirabel Christmas Appeal last year - so hopefully someone is giving her some love (wonky arms and all)!

Holland

Hallo from The Netherlands. I know it's been a 'long' while since my last post however I have an excuse. For the past few months I have been working, saving, traveling and shifting my life to the other side of the world. But I'm back. And now that I have finally settled into some sort of normality, I'm really ready to get my hands moving again!

I've got lots of new ideas - just got to get started now.

I spent two weeks in amazing Japan so thought I'd post this very serene image from my favourite Japanese artist, Yoshimoto Nara.